Bulldogs, Lobos to battle for No. 3 seed

Game 31: Fresno State (21-9, 11-6 MW) at New Mexico (16-14, 11-6 MW)
March 3, 2018 -- 6 p.m. PT -- Albuquerque, N.M. (Dreamstyle Arena at The Pit)
TV/Online: ESPN3/WatchESPN (Trey Bender/Richie Schueler)
Radio: 940 AM ESPN (Paul Loeffler/Marc Q. Jones)
Series History (All-Time): New Mexico leads 15-12 (overall) & 9-1 (games at The Pit)
Series History (Terry Era): New Mexico leads 7-5 (overall)
Last Meeting: Fresno State 89, New Mexico 80 (1/13/18 • Fresno, Calif. • Save Mart Center)
Looking Ahead: MW Quarterfinals (March 8 • 2:30 p.m. PT or 8:30 p.m. PT)

Opening Tip

Fresno State is one of eight schools in the West to have made back-to-back postseason appearances (NCAA or NIT).
Fresno State has won at least 20 games in each of the past three seasons (four of the past five seasons).
Fresno State (11-6) is currently in third place in the MW standings - two games back of second-place Boise State (12-4) - and can clinch the No. 3 seed for the 2018 MW Tournament with a win over the Lobos.
Fresno State is one of two MW teams (Boise State) to have earned a first round bye in each of the past four seasons (including this season).
Fresno State is one of three MW teams with at least 21 wins this season.

'Dogs making run down the stretch

Fresno State leads the MW in field goal percentage (49.4 percent).
Fresno State ranks second in the MW in 3-point field goal percentage (39.8 percent), rebounding defense (31.1 avg/game) and steals (7.0 spg).
Fresno State sophomore forward Bryson Williams is second in the MW (17th in the nation) with a 60.5 field goal percentage (176-291 FG).
Fresno State sophomore forward Nate Grimes is second the nation in rebounds per minute (0.45 rebounds per minute played).
Fresno State is 10-1 this season when dishing out 15 or more assists.
Fresno State is 9-0 this season when at least five Bulldogs score at least 10 points in a game.
Fresno State has won 39 consecutive games when scoring 70 points before its opponent (78-2 record under Bulldogs' head coach Rodney Terry).

Fresno State's consistency leads to success
Fresno State is one of three Mountain West teams to have finished .500 or better in league play in each of the past five seasons, including this season. Fresno State, Boise State and San Diego State have won at least nine conference games in each of the last five season. Entering this season, during the previous four-year stretch, Fresno State had averaged 10.8 conference wins per season, with at least 10 MW wins for four straight seasons, including a 13-5 mark in 2015-16.

Bulldogs, Lobos to battle for No. 3 seed
Fresno State (21-9, 11-6 Mountain West) will visit the New Mexico Lobos (16-14, 11-6 MW) on Saturday at 6 p.m. PT inside Dreamstyle Arena at The Pit. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3/WatchESPN and 940 AM ESPN radio. The winner of the contest will earn the No. 3 for the upcoming MW Tournament, which takes place next week in Las Vegas (March 7-10).

About the New Mexico Lobos
The New Mexico Lobos are 16-14 on the season (11-6 in MW play). In the all time series, the Bulldogs have won four of the last five meetings.

Deshon Taylor making case for All-MW Honors

This season, Fresno State junior guard Deshon Taylor leads the MW in free throws made (187) and steals (47, 1.6 spg) and ranks fifth in scoring (534, 17.8 ppg) and free throw percentage (187-223 FT, 83.9 percent).
Deshon Taylor is ranked eighth in the nation in free throws made (187) - which is also a new Fresno State single-season program record.

Bittner named CoSIDA Academic All-District 8
Fresno State junior forward Sam Bittner has been named a 2017-18 College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District 8 honoree. Bittner is also a two-time Mountain West scholar athlete and a two-time Academic All-MW selection. He currently ranks 15th in the nation in 3-point shooting (38-for-76, 50.0 percent) for players with at least one made 3-pointer per team game. Bittner (business administration major, 3.94 GPA) is the second Bulldog ever to be honored as a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection – joining three-time Academic All-District honoree Nedeljko Golubovic, who was recognized from 2009-11.

On the road

Fresno State has won 18 of its last 31 true road games (18-13 record).
Fresno State is 9-3 on the road this season (second best road record by a MW team this season and most in a season since the 2001-02 season).
Fresno State's last six overtime games have been on the road.

• REFERENCE: "Fresno State" (never: FSU, CSUF, Fresno State University, or just simply "Fresno"); ABBREVIATION: Fresno St. or FS

Bulldogs, Lobos to battle for No. 3 seed

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sam Bittner

Nate Grimes

Deshon Taylor

Bryson Williams

Fresno State Athletics

Bulldogs, Lobos to battle for No. 3 seed

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sam Bittner

Nate Grimes

Deshon Taylor

Bryson Williams

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